How To Use A Wire Rope A wire rope clip, also called a clamp, cable clamp, wire rope clamp, U-Clip, U-Clamp, is used to fix the loose end of the loop back to the wire rope. It usually consists of a U-shaped bolt, a forged or cast saddle and two nuts. The two layers of wire rope are placed in the U-bolt. The saddle is then fitted over the ropes on to the bolt (the saddle includes two holes to fit to the U-bolt). The nuts secure the arrangement in place. In order to achieve maximum strength on vinyl coated cable, please remove the vinyl coating from the cable in the area where the wire rope clip, sleeve, or button will be affixed. When selecting termination fittings for vinyl coated cable, select the fitting that is sized to the diameter of the cable, not the diameter of the coating. If you affix the termination fitting over the vinyl coating, the strength of the assembly will be greatly reduced.